Bankruptcy
The Case for Relief in an Economy of Debt

Excessive household debt has allowed for economic growth, but this model has become increasingly unstable. Spooner examines bankruptcy law as a potential solution.

Joseph Spooner (Author)

9781107166943, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 11 April 2019

306 pages
23.5 x 15.7 x 2.1 cm, 0.56 kg

'The book is essential reading for anyone who is interested in understanding the problem of consumer debt and how best to address it. It is an indispensable addition for all university libraries.' Eugenio Vaccari, Journal of International Banking Law and Regulation

A decade after the Global Financial Crisis and Great Recession, developed economies continue to struggle under excessive household debt. While exacerbating inequality and political unrest, this debt - when combined with wage stagnation and a shrinking welfare state - has played a key role in maintaining economic growth and allowing households faced with rising costs of living to make ends meet. In Bankruptcy: The Case for Relief in an Economy of Debt, Joseph Spooner examines this economic model and finds it increasingly unsustainable. In a call to action to reduce debt burden, he turns to bankruptcy law, which is uniquely situated as a mechanism of social insurance against the risks of a debt-dependent economy. This book should be read by anyone interested in understanding the problem of consumer debt and how best to address it.

1. Introduction
2. Financialised capitalism and the centrality of household debt
3. Consumer bankruptcy theory and the case for debt relief
4. A consumer bankruptcy marketplace
5. The limits of contractual consumer bankruptcy
6. The austere creditor: austerity, bankruptcy policy and government debt collection
7. Moral hazard and bankruptcy abuse prevention
8. Conclusion
Index.

Subject Areas: Bankruptcy & insolvency [LNPC], Financial law [LNP], Company law [LNCD], Commercial law [LNCB], Company, commercial & competition law [LNC], Corporate finance [KFFH], Public finance [KFFD], Economic & financial crises & disasters [KCX], Economic systems & structures [KCS]